We’re Running Out Of Time

“We’re running out of time! My mom is on her way to the airport.”

Alex looks at me with a dumbfounded expression, like I’ve just sucker punched him.

“Wow, you’re joking with me, aren’t you? Where the hell have you been? Your little ‘mishap’ is a top priority.”

I groan, grabbing my keys off the counter and pulling open the back door.

“The hell with you, Alex. I need to be back by tomorrow.”

“You know you’re only pissing me off right now? This is serious.”

“Yeah, whatever, I need to get back.”

I get into the car and slam the door.

“We’ll see if you’re on your flight tomorrow,” he yells from the front door.

I bite my tongue and shake my head, taking a deep breath.

“For once, I’d like to go home and have someone tell me how I should live my life. Instead, I have to listen to someone tell me it’s time to face the consequences of my actions.”

Not even a minute later, our ride is pulling into my driveway. As soon as the car stops, I hop out and run into the house. My mom is sitting at the kitchen table with her head buried in her hands.

“Mom? What’s wrong? Are you okay?” I ask, dropping in the seat across from her.

“Why did you let me go?”

She looks up at me, tears in her eyes, and I hate that she’s about to make it worse.

“Mom, what’s wrong?”

Her hand flies to her mouth. “You’re being grounded,” she replies in a harsh tone. “I thought you’d done something stupid.”

“No, I was only on a date,” I say defensively. “What was I supposed to do? Ask him to drive me home?”

“Gross,” my mom says, slapping her hand over her mouth.

I swallow hard. I should never have told her. She doesn’t need to know about Alex.

“Oh, yeah.” She winces.

“I’m sorry.”

“Thanks,” I mutter, taking a deep breath.

I’m glad she didn’t take it very badly.

“I’ll be back by Saturday night so I can get settled back at school.”

“Well, you shouldn’t leave until then.” Her mother said.

She’s got that pained expression on her face that I’m all too familiar with. She hates seeing me hurt, and she thinks that being grounded will be good for me. Maybe it will be, but I hate feeling like a guilty child all the time.

“And don’t come home drunk,” she adds.

I grimace.

“I won’t.”

“I’m glad to hear that,” she says, but I can see the doubt in her eyes. I decide it’s time to get this over with.

“You know what, Mom? I think it’s time I tell you everything. I know you’re concerned, and I love you for that, but I’m going to have to go.”

Her eyes widen.

“What? Where are you going?”

“I need to get away for a little bit.”

“And how are you going to go?”

“I’m going to New York with Alex.”

“You’re going to go to Alex? Are you crazy? Alex?”

“Yes. I know you’re worried. I get it. And I’m sorry.”

“You can’t just go off with Alex,” she insists.

I sigh.

“I know, Mom. But it’s not what you think.”

“Then tell me what you think.”

“It’s not you.”

I run my hand through my hair.

“I want to go away, just for a little while. You’ve been here for me all of my life, you know. It’s time I have some time to myself. Besides, if I don’t go now, then I don’t know when I will.”

“I don’t get it.”

She’s staring at me, mouth ajar.

I run my hands through my hair again and look down at the ground. I don’t want to tell her. I’m not ready to just yet. And it’s obvious that I don’t need to explain.

“I don’t know. I just need some time to think.”

“I don’t get it.” She shakes her head.

“I never thought I’d see you this unhappy. There’s no good reason for you to leave the house, and you just admitted that you have a boyfriend.”

I gasp.

“I didn’t.”

I really hadn’t. I knew he was in New York, but I’d completely forgotten about that.

“So, why did he invite you to New York?”

She pats my knee, and I flinch. I don’t want her touching me.

“He didn’t invite me,” I correct.

“I’m the one who wanted to go see him.”

“You what?” Her voice is slightly louder. Her eyes widen, but she says nothing. I sense her anger, but it’s not directed at me. She huffs and looks down.

“That’s the second time you’ve done something like this. He’s too young for you. You’re too young for him.”

“That’s what you think, huh? That I’m too young for him?”

I pull my knees up to my chest.

“No. I think you’re the one who is too young for him.”

“I don’t care if you date. You’re a grown woman, and I won’t stop you. I just don’t like it.”

She shakes her head.

“No, you don’t understand. This isn’t like other guys.”

“And I don’t care what others say, but I don’t think he’s good for you. He needs to get his life together. He’s kind of...”

I wait for her to say something else. But she doesn’t.

“I will not stop you from dating him. But I’m warning you!”

“He’s manipulative.” Her eyebrows go up.

“Maybe I am, too. He’s a smart person. He’ll get his life together, eventually.”

I know she means well, but her warnings never stop me from going out with boys. And I doubt they’ll stop me from going out with Alex.

“He’s gonna go to college and become a successful doctor. He has potential. You can’t deny that.”

She squeezes my knee.

“You’re so young.”

“It’s not like I’m doing anything important with my life. I’m not even sure what I want to be yet.”

“He’s going to be the best doctor this world has ever seen.”

I stare at her. Her eyes are full of determination and pride. I don’t think she’d be this adamant about a lot of things if she thought about it.

“He needs to find out what he really wants before he takes that next step with a girl. Besides, he’s a nice guy. And I’m so happy for him. I’m sorry, but there’s nothing wrong with that.”

She’s not sorry at all. But she’s right. She gives me a tight hug and then leaves.

It’s late when Amy knocks on Alex’s door.

He walks over and looks out the peephole.

“Come in.”

He opens the door wider as Amy enters and closes the door.

“So, what were you and your mom talking about?” I scoot closer to him on the bed.

“I’m going out of town next weekend.”

“With whom?”

“My mom.”

“You’re going out of town with your mother?”

I hesitate.

“She said it was our first getaway since my father died, so I think she’s planning on making it a good one.”

“Is she being serious? Because I’m not sure that’s your mother’s thing.”

He’s being honest, but kind of insensitive.

“She’s always been really big on family gatherings.”

He throws his hands in the air.

“What’s wrong with that?”

“I’m taking you out for the senior prom.”

I pull away from him.

“I’m not a little kid, Alex. There is no need for a bunch of romantic gestures. I’m fine with that.”

“Is this about the prom?”

“No.”

I take a deep breath.

“This is about your mom. She’s having a major life change.”

“Change isn’t a bad thing.”

“It can be. You shouldn’t do stuff like this for a girl.”

He swallows hard.

“You’re my girl, aren’t you?”

“That’s all? It’s true, but it isn’t enough.”

“And what about this? You said you never dated.”

“I don’t date because I want to find the right girl.”

I get up from the bed and walk over to the window. The moon shines in a thin, silvery light.

“That seems like a cop out.”

He walks up behind me and puts his arms around me. His body is warm against mine.

“Maybe it is. But at this point, I don’t care. It’s what I want.”

I hug him back. He holds me tightly. Then he nuzzles his nose into my neck.

“I miss being with you,” he says.

“And I’m going to miss you, too. I wish you could have come with me this weekend.”

It’s a good thing I’m having so much fun making him jealous.

Alex holds me tightly and stares into my eyes.

“And when you get back, I’ll be right here, waiting for you. I promise.”